System and method for synchronizing data between communication devices in a networked environment without a central server

ABSTRACT

The invention provides for a cloud-based solution that saves all the data in the cloud storage. The peer devices synchronize data among each other independent of the operating system since the data is synced via web services. Synchronization of data among peer devices is possible even when cloud service is unavailable via a router, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC or any other mechanism. The peer devices form a hierarchical structure, which designates a master, and the master communicates with the cloud-based service to synchronize data. The master then synchronizes data with the other peer devices in the hierarchy. New devices can be added to the peer devices and can join the hierarchy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application61/846,710 filed on Jul. 16, 2013, entitled “System and Method forSynchronizing Data Between Communication Devices in a NetworkedEnvironment without a Central Server.” Dispute Resolution and SimulatedTrials in a Virtual Setting”, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of networkcommunication. More specifically to synchronizing data shared among peerdevices via wired or wireless networks without the need of a dedicatedcentral server.

2. Description of the Related Art

Networked devices often need to communicate with each other to shareinformation. For example, the need often arises in the communicationbetween client and server applications such as email applications. Atypical email system comprises a server component (e.g., MicrosoftExchange Server) and a client component (e.g., Microsoft Outlook orMicrosoft Outlook Express). These components are typically softwareapplications that are configured to execute on computing devices (e.g.,servers, PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones).

However, existing methods of communication between network devices areunsatisfactory because they require various servers and PCs at variousfacilities, and because a loss in connectivity between a client andserver application disables data synchronization with computing devices.

Additionally, existing systems often employ dedicated data back-updevices connected to the network or used cloud based backup and datasynchronization solutions. However, physical back-up local systemsrequire additional equipment at significant expense. Cloud based datasynchronization systems require less hardware at the local level butrequire a constant communication connection to remain effective.

Therefore, what is needed is a system which can provide datasynchronization among networked devices already on the network allowingfor continued data synchronization when communication with a cloud basedsystem is lost while minimizing the need for dedicated local back-upsystems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system, method, and solution for datasynchronization among peer devices on a network and master deviceredundancy within the peer network. The system may be employed incombination with a cloud-based solution which also synchronizes andsaves all data in a cloud storage system. The peer devices synchronizedata among each other independent of the operating system since the datais synced via web services. The synchronization of data among peerdevices may be wired or wireless via a router, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC orany other mechanism which enables data synchronization possible evenwhen cloud service is unavailable.

The peer devices may be configured in a hierarchical structure, whichdesignates a master, and the master communicates with the cloud-basedservice to synchronize data. The master then synchronizes data with theother peer devices in the hierarchy. New devices can be added to thepeer devices and can join the hierarchy. Should the master device fail,the system employs various methods of identifying and configuring a peerdevice already in the system to take over as the master device. Priorityof the peer devices in the hierarchical structure to create a new mastercan be established either manually or the system can be configured todecide on the priority through analysis.

The present invention also provides a system for synchronizing dataacross a network of devices comprising: a plurality of processor baseddevices within a computer network; a plurality of memory devicesassociated with a plurality of the processor based devices, wherein thememory devices store a plurality of data; at least one softwareapplication resident on a plurality of the processor based devices whichprovides instructions for transmitting data to one or more of the otherdevices, and receiving and storing data from at least one of the otherprocessor based devices on the associated memory device, wherein thesoftware application provides information on which of the processorbased devices is identified as a master device, and instructions toidentify a new master device in the event communication with the masterdevice is interrupted.

In combination, the system of the present invention provides a peerdevice network which synchronizes data within the local network andsynchronizes data with a cloud based schema. Thereby, the system canutilize a cloud-based solution whereby all the data is saved in thecloud storage. However, in the event the connection to the cloudsolution falter, the system can continue to maintain full datasynchronization amongst peer devices. Data can be synced between thepeer devices independent of the operating system via web services. Theflexibility of such a system enables constant data synchronization withthe ability to add new devices to the set of peer devices and these newdevices will join the hierarchical structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described indetail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similarcomponents or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a system diagram of an exemplary system that enables datasynchronization between a plurality of devices and a cloud-based webservice without the need for a central server in accordance with thisinvention.

FIG. 2 depicts a system diagram of an exemplary system that enables datasynchronization between a plurality of devices with a cloud-based webservice in communication with the master device

FIG. 3 depicts a system diagram of an exemplary embodiment that enablesone of a plurality of devices to become the master device if theoriginal master device fails.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram showing the method of identifying andcreating the new master device upon failure of the original masterdevice.

FIG. 5 depicts a system diagram of an exemplary system that enables datasynchronization between a plurality of devices without a cloud-based webservice

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described ingreater detail with reference to the figures. Like reference numeralsapply to similar parts throughout the several views.

The embodiments presented here are not meant to be exhaustive. Otherembodiments using the concepts introduced in the present invention arepossible. In addition, the components in these embodiments may beimplemented in a variety of different ways.

As see in FIG. 1, the present invention can provide a fully synchronizedsystem 100 where each device 102, 104, 106, 108 is connected through theinternet 120 to a cloud based system 130 for data synchronization, dataanalysis, and real time decision making. The devices 102, 104, 106, 108are within a local network 110 and each device 102, 104, 106, 108 cancommunicate with the other devices via communication paths 103, 105,107. The communication may be through a router, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC,any other mechanism, or a combination of any such paths. Devices 102,104, 106, 108 can be a mix of laptops 106, tablets 102, PCs 108, Androidand/or iOS devices 104. The devices 102, 104, 106, 108 within thenetwork 110 are also connected to the internet 120 via communicationpaths 112, 114, 116, and 118. The communication may be through a router,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, any other mechanism, or a combination of any suchpaths. The cloud based system 130 is also connected to the internet 120for communication with the network 110 or devices 102, 104, 106, 108.The cloud based system 130 may consist of one or many servers 132 whichmay save data across a multitude of internal or external databases ormemory 134, 136.

In traditional or known systems, the devices 102, 104, 106, 108 withinthe network 110 can communicate locally with each other but they do notsynchronize data among each other. In such traditional systems, thedevices 102, 104, 106, 108 can be configured to communicate with thecloud 130 to synchronize data with the cloud but when the cloud 130 isunavailable, the network and devices 102, 104, 106, 108 lose theirsynchronization capability.

However, the present invention improves such traditional systems byproviding a system 100 which enables the devices 102, 104, 106, 108 tosynchronize data amongst the peer devices 102, 104, 106, 108 within thenetwork 110. The synchronous replication, which is accomplished bysoftware or computer programs or instructions resident on the devices102, 104, 106, 108 writes data to the primary device (the device savingor storing data) in addition to a secondary device at the same time sothat the data remains current between devices 102, 104, 106, 108. Thesystem can be configured, as depicted in FIG. 1, where each device 102,104, 106, 108 can communicate with each other, sync with each other, andsync with the cloud 130. The problem with contact syncing with a networkof devices 102, 104, 106, 108 is the sync process can negatively impactthe performance of the devices 102, 104, 106, 108. Thus, there is adesire to enable synchronization amongst devices 102, 104, 106, 108 andthe cloud with a minimal impact on device 102, 104, 106, 108 operation.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 1, the devices 102, 104, 106, 108 caneach communicate directly with the cloud based system 130. The systemcan be implemented such that each system or device 102, 104, 106, 108primarily syncs with the cloud based system 130 to limit the syncprocess to only one path. In such an embodiment, the systemapplications, computer programs, and related instructions still maintainthe rules and logs around which devices act as synchronized devices forthe data amongst devices. Therefore, in the event the cloud based system130 is unavailable, the devices 102, 104, 106, 108 within local network110 can immediately default to a sync from peer to peer methodologyusing devices 102, 104, 106, 108. Since it is likely that a device 102,104, 106, 108 within the network 110 will have its data synced acrossmore than one device the applications may also provide the sequence ofdata synchronization amongst peer devices 102, 104, 106, 108. Such asystem allows the devices 102, 104, 106, 108 to remain synced at thecloud and locally but minimize performance loss by having each device102, 104, 106, 108 primarily synced with the cloud with the peer devicesynchronization as a back-up. The problem with such a system is thateach device 102, 104, 106, 108 may be in and out of communication withthe cloud system 130 causing the system and devices 102, 104, 106, 108to jump intermittently between a cloud synchronization or a local peersynchronization. However, the system of the present invention can beconfigured to perform sync routines amongst peer devices at set times orwhen resource demand for all or some of the devices 102, 104, 106, 108is determined to be low.

In an additional embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2, the present inventionenables a hierarchal based synchronization system 200 with a masterdevice 102 and the cloud system 130 which provides or allows fordesigned structure on synchronization schema. Thus, the peer devices104, 106, 108 are primarily being synced from only one device, themaster device 102, which controls the data sync among all peer devices104, 106, 108 and the cloud system 130. The system 200 provides a masterdevice 102 which is connected to or in communication with the cloudbased system 130 for data synchronization via the internet 120. Themaster device 102, and the devices 104, 106, 108 are within a network210 and each device 102, 104, 106, 108 can communicate and synchronizedata with the other devices in the network 210 via communication paths103, 105, 107. The communication may be through a router, Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, NFC, any other mechanism, or a combination of any such paths.Devices 102, 104, 106, 108 could be a mix of laptops, tablets, PCs,Android and/or iOS devices. In this embodiment, only the master device102 is within the network 210 and is configured to communicate with andsynchronize data with the cloud system 130. The communication may bethrough a router, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, any other mechanism, or acombination of any such paths. The master device 102 communicatesindividually with the cloud system 130 to synchronize data. The masterdevice 102 also communicates locally with the devices 104, 106, and 108,and synchronizes data among the devices 104, 106, 108.

In FIG. 3, we have a system 300 where the master device 102 from FIG. 2has failed or lost connectivity with the cloud system 130 or lostconnectivity with the secondary devices 104, 106, 108. The secondarydevices 104, 106, and 108 are within network 310 and each device 104,106, 108 can communicate and synchronize data with the other devices viacommunication paths 103, 105, and 107. The communication may be througha router, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, any other mechanism, or a combinationof any such paths. Devices 102, 104, 106, 108 could be a mix of laptops,tablets PCs, Android and/or iOS devices. Devices 104, 106, 108 areconnected to the internet 120 via communication paths 114, 116, and 118.The communication may be through a router, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, anyother mechanism, or a combination of any such paths. The cloud basedsystem 130 is also connected to the internet 120 for communication withthe network 310 or devices 104, 106, 108.

However, as described above, if the master device 102 has failed or lostconnectivity or communication with the cloud system 130 another device104, 106, 108 will need to become the new master device. The priority ofdevices 104, 106, 108 creates a new master device either manually orautomatically. By way of example, if the new master device is 108 it nowtakes over primary communication and synchronization with the cloudsystem 130. In addition, the new master device 108 also communicateslocally with devices 104 and 106 and synchronizes data among the network310 devices 104, 106.

FIG. 4 provides a flowchart of the method 400 for determining thepriority of devices to become the new master device in the event offailure of the original master device. Such determination can beestablished either manually or automatically. The devices maintain a“state configuration” and are aware of each other. At 402 the system isfunctioning as designed without incident. At 403 an inquiry is made asto the state of the master device. If the master has not failed, themaster continues data synchronization (403) with the cloud as well aswith the other devices in the network, and there is no further inquiry(418). However, if the master has failed, the system determines in step405 whether an administrator has manually set a new master hierarchy(405).

The administrator can manually set a new master from the administrationgraphical user interface of the present invention. The hierarchy can beestablished based on many factors including which peer device mostclosely matches the failed master in terms of hardware components,software, configuration, operating system, or which of the devices canbe converted to a new master in the shortest period of time, taking intoaccount factors such as the percentage of master files already synced,RAM and processing power, or similar criteria. If the administrator hasmanually set a new master, then in step 416 the new master is updatedwithin the system and the through a synchronized program or instructioninstall and data update that device is selected to be the new master.The new master can continue data synchronization with the cloud systemas well as with the other devices in the network. Once the new master isupdated and synchronization is ongoing the process of determining thenew master is terminated in step 418.

In the event the administrator did not manually set the new masterhierarchy (from step 405), the system in step 406 provides for anautomatic selection of a new master by first analyzing the peer devices.The analysis is based on various criteria 407 the system automaticallyutilizes to analyze the peer devices. The criteria can be established bythe administrator or can be determined using the software program orcode of the analyzer provided with the system. Criteria may includeanalyzing specifications like age of the device, hardware components,software, configuration, operating system, or which of the devices canbe converted to a new master in the shortest period of time, taking intoaccount factors such as the percentage of master files already synced,RAM and processing power, or similar criteria. Priority can beestablished by an examination of the type of peer devices, proximity ofthe peer devices, computing capacity of the devices or other parametersthat be configured at the time of the system design.

After the peer device analysis (steps 406 and 407), the systemdetermines a new master (step 410) based on the analysis conducted atstep 406 using the criteria from 407. The device selected as new masterfrom step 410 is then updated to act as the new master in step 416. Thenew master synchronizes data with the cloud system and then synchronizesdata with the other peer devices. Once the new master is updated andsynchronization is ongoing the new master determination process isterminated in step 418.

In addition, the system 500 could be deployed without cloudsynchronization where each device 102, 104, 106, 108 is connectedthrough a local area network 510. The devices 102, 104, 106, 108 cancommunicate with the other devices via communication paths 103, 105,107. The local area network 510 includes connecting the devices 102,104, 106, 108 through one or more communication paths 112, 114, 116, 118which may be through a router, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, any other device(505) , or a combination of any such paths and devices. The devices 102,104, 106, 108 can be a mix of laptops 106, tablets 102, PCs 108, Androidand/or iOS devices 104. The devices 102, 104, 106, 108 would each havethe relevant software code installed and operational and would controlthe devices synchronization with the other devices within the network510. The devices 102, 104, 106, 108 would also employ the same master orsecondary protocol as previously discussed.

The benefits of the system and embodiments as described herein allow foreasy synchronization and utilization of the devices already within thenetwork. It allows for data backup and redundancy without the need topurchase external drives, or pay for cloud based systems. Further, itallows for easy replication of relevant data as new devices are added tothe system. The data within the system can be encrypted and spreadacross multiple computers or devices providing additional securitymeasures.

The examples provided herein are merely for the purpose of explanationand are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present method andproduct disclosed herein. While the invention has been described withreference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words whichhave been used herein are words of description and illustration, ratherthan words of limitation. Further, although the invention has beendescribed herein with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention expands to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having thebenefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerousmodifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes ormodifications may be made to the above described embodiment withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It isunderstood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particularembodiment which is described, but is intended to cover allmodifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for synchronizing data across a network of devices comprising: a plurality of processor based devices within a computer network; a plurality of memory devices associated with a plurality of the processor based devices, wherein the memory devices store a plurality of data; at least one software application resident on a plurality of the processor based devices which provides instructions for transmitting data to one or more of the other devices and for receiving data from at least one of the other processor based devices and storing it on the associated memory device, wherein the software application provides information on which of the processor based devices is identified as a master device, and instructions to identify a new master device in the event communication with the master device is interrupted. 